Speaker Johnson Proposes Using Reconciliation to Address Alleged Fraud in Blue States

Republican leader says GOP can use budget process to target 'fraud, waste and abuse' in Democratic-led states.

Mar. 10, 2026 at 4:52pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has floated the idea of passing a sweeping spending package aimed at targeting what he described as fraud, waste and abuse in Democratic-led states. Johnson said during a news conference at the House Republican retreat in Doral, Florida that he sees reconciliation as an important tool to address these issues, even if it means doing so without Democratic support.

Why it matters

This proposal highlights the ongoing partisan tensions around issues of election integrity and government spending. Republicans have made allegations of widespread fraud a key part of their political platform, while Democrats have pushed back on these claims. Using the reconciliation process to target 'fraud, waste and abuse' in blue states could further inflame these divisions.

The details

Johnson said he sees reconciliation as a way for Republicans to 'stand up fraud, waste, abuse' in states like Minnesota and California, which he claims have 'serious problems.' He argued that Democrats are unlikely to cooperate on these efforts, so the GOP may need to act unilaterally. However, passing another reconciliation bill could face significant challenges given the narrow House majority and divisions within the Republican conference.

  • On Tuesday, March 10, 2026, Speaker Johnson made these comments at the House Republican retreat in Doral, Florida.
  • Last week, Republicans on the House Oversight Committee grilled Minnesota's Democratic governor and attorney general over a fraud scandal in the state's social services programs.

The players

Mike Johnson

The Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives, who has proposed using the reconciliation process to target alleged fraud in Democratic-led states.

Tim Walz

The Democratic governor of Minnesota, who was recently grilled by House Republicans over a fraud scandal in the state's social services programs.

Keith Ellison

The Democratic attorney general of Minnesota, who was also questioned by House Republicans over the fraud scandal in the state.

Jason Smith

The Republican chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, who said passing a second reconciliation bill would be 'extremely rare and difficult.'

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I think the central theme of all this is we're going to continue…working to lower the cost a bit for everyone because it's a central issue, and also to stand up fraud, waste, abuse, and you've seen the fraud that's been put on display in states like Minnesota. California is being audited for some of their fraud, some of the big blue states, I think they've got serious problems. We can use potentially reconciliation as a vehicle to address some of that as well.”

— Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House

“In that first one, we had to thread a needle like you could not imagine, trying to balance all the different personalities and opinions.”

— Jason Smith, Chair, House Ways and Means Committee

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This proposal highlights the ongoing partisan tensions around issues of election integrity and government spending. Using the reconciliation process to target 'fraud, waste and abuse' in blue states could further inflame these divisions and make bipartisan cooperation on other issues even more difficult.